Mithridatic, 110BC to 47BC

 Book 2, List 48

This is my mighty morphing army. I have never bought a figure specifically for it, instead using the Seleukid and Polybian figures plus a few Steppe type armored cavalry for the Iazygian nobles. So it's mostly Donnington with a few Essex and others.

The reason for regularly using the Mithridatic is that it is such a mix of troop types, is very large at any points value and is a great challenge, but has hidden depths. Although split into two time periods the choice is a straightforward one between Pk(O) & (I) with compulsory Exp or Bd(I) with optional Exp. I have never tried the latter although the removal of the v1.x movement penalties for Reg (I) troops may tempt me as long as the enemy have little or no Kn/Wb. Obviously the main problem with the army is its variety and a lack of troops you can rely on to hold a significant portion of the field against all comers. However, unlike most essentially Irregular armies it can have 2 Regular generals thus giving reasonable control. Added to this is the fact that most of the army are troop types who do not attract extra PIPs for wheeling, etc. and you actually have an Irregular army with a fair manoeuvre capability.

In terms of a strike force the army is restricted to 5 Kn(F), 16 Pk and, if the dice are really with you, the Exp. But you can always find the points for an Armenian allied contingent with Kn(X) if you need more Kn. I have found that the use of the 5 Kn(F) led by a Regular C-in-C can be moved fairly easily to where you need them especially if you can distract your opponent with the sacrificial Exp - players often worry about them as they are unusual. Bad terrain is not a problem for this army as it has Ax(S) and (O) and Ps(S) and (O) in huge amounts, so ambushes are always an option. There are even 12 TF available for the really paranoid as they are not restricted to the camp. The mounted troops are fairly numerous with Bw(I) for support, but most are LH.

All in all it is a really fun army with enough capable troops to win you the game if used correctly. Its worst enemy is a Kn and Bw army, however it's sheer size can also be a real problem for your opponent who will often be outflanked somewhere.

pontic450apwithbd.txt - is a 450AP army, post 84BC with imitation legionarii.

pontic450ap.txt - as above but pre 84BC with pikes and 4 scythed chariots. Fun.

doubles500ap.txt - the army I used with Pete Rushton at the SOA doubles at Preston in 2000.

pontic400apwithbd.txt - used in a DBM v3.0 trial game where it surprisingly beat Simon Hall's Ancient British!